A city Correction officer was indicted Wednesday for allegedly smuggling more than $15,000 worth of contraband – including 200 cigarettes and a cell phone – into Rikers Island, prosecutors said.
Kendell Felix, 37, is accused of accepting a $3,000 bribe from an outside person in order to sneak the illicit items into the jail complex and distribute them to the inmates, according to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office and law enforcement sources.
The estimated value of the contraband in prison is about $15,000, the DA’s Office said.
Felix, who is assigned to the North Infirmary Command, was arraigned before Judge Shari Michels on the charges of third-degree bribe receiving, first-degree promoting prison contraband, two counts of second-degree promoting prison contraband, and official misconduct, prosecutors said.
“Cigarettes are sold for $50 to $100 each in Rikers Island jails, making this contraband extremely valuable, and a fuel for violence,” Bronx DA Darcel Clark said.
“The Correction Officer allegedly committed activity that contributes to crime in the jail.”
No one else was arrested in connection to the scheme, the sources said.
“This individual put his own interests above the safety of the people in custody, DOC employees, and visitors,” Department of Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie said.
“Our jails become less safe when correction officers accept bribes to smuggle in contraband. We commend the Office of the Bronx District Attorney for working with our department to ensure this individual is brought to justice.”
Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber slammed the officer for allegedly “supporting the illicit contraband trade and undermining the safety of his fellow correction officers who do their jobs with integrity, as well as other persons in custody.”
“I thank the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its partnership on this investigation and the Department of Correction for its cooperation.”
Felix is due back in court on Dec. 4, prosecutors said.